A snapshot of West Virginia, which will visit Oklahoma at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Big 12 Conference opener for both. Plus, an added bonus: Fun with YouTube ...
WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
Record: 1-0
Last week: Defeated William & Mary 24-17, rallying for a victory after trailing the FCS school 17-7 at halftime
Coach: Dana Holgorsen (third season, 17-9)
Player to watch: Charles Sims, RB. Speedster is a transfer from Houston, where he was an All-Conference USA first-team running back. He initially planned to play for UH’s then-offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. Sims had a solid West Virginia debut on Saturday, rushing for 120 yards on 23 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown dash.
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Think Oklahoma had questions at quarterback during fall camp? At least the coaching staff was able to pick a starter in Trevor Knight and then prepare for its season opener against Louisiana-Monroe.
Things were a bit more unsettled at West Virginia heading into game one, but appear clearer now.
Holgorsen played Paul Millard for the first three series of the William & Mary game before turning to Florida State transfer Clint Trickett in the beginning of the second quarter. Trickett misfired on both his pass attempts and was sacked once. The WVU coach returned to Millard for the rest of the game.
Millard, a 6-2, 219-pound junior, connected on his first eight passes and finished 19-of-25 for 237 yards and a touchdown. A chunk of his yardage came on a 69-yard touchdown pass to Ronald Carswell, which tied the game at 17 in the third quarter.
Someone had a little fun with Holgorsen's decision-marking process before Saturday's win ...
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Memorable game: Tavon Austin rushed for a school-record 344 yards and set a Big 12 record with 572 all-purpose yards. Stedman Bailey had 13 catches for 205 yards and four touchdowns. Geno Smith completed 20-of-35 passes for 320 yards.
How exactly did West Virginia lose to the Sooners last year after registering those eye-popping statistics? Because its defense was just as bad, surrendering 554 passing yards and six touchdown passes to Landry Jones.
The Sooners won 50-49 on a last-minute drive last season and lead the all-time series 3-2.
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Ties to state of Oklahoma: The WVU coaching staff has links to the state starting with Holgorsen (Oklahoma State, 2010), special teams coordinator/associate HC Joe DeForest (OSU 2001-11) and Keith Patterson (Tulsa 2003-10, Ardmore HS HC 1997-99, Edmond Santa Fe HS HC, 1994)
There is only one Oklahoman on the West Virginia roster, former Southmoore star d’Vante Henry. He is a junior college transfer from Arizona Western, where the linebacker was an ex-teammate of OU running back Damien Williams. He also was a high-school teammate of Sooners quarterback Kendal Thompson.
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WEST VIRGINIA BY THE NUMBERS
3: BCS Bowl victories since 2005 season (2006 Sugar Bowl, 2008 Fiesta Bowl, 2011 Orange Bowl)
10: Starters lost from last year’s offense.
11: Consecutive years with a bowl appearance.
27: Different uniform combinations that can be worn by the Mountaineers this season.
778: Total yards gained on Oklahoma in 2012 meeting.
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Buzzkill: West Virginia fans invite all to sing and dance along to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads." Well, unless you are Buzz Williams ...
*****Highlights from the Mountaineers’ 24-17 victory over William & Mary:
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PUT ON YOUR GAME FACE: Visit the Tulsa World's OU Sports Extra for complete coverage of the Sooners.
